Happy World Environment Day! Today let’s all be mindful of how important our environment is – without it, there is no us. Unfortunately, climate change is threatening our environment, lives and livelihood.

Here are 5 ways you can fight climate change without even leaving home, and there’s no better time to start than now:

Be Energy Efficient & Choose Renewable Power

In addition to switching off lights to save energy, you can also change out your light bulbs to LEDs or compact fluorescents which use less energy. Don’t forget to unplug all your electronics when not in use, and choose energy efficient appliances when you go to buy. Using renewable power is easy too. Instead of using a dryer for your clothes, you can utilize the solar and wind energy all around you by hanging them out to dry instead. You can also explore other renewable energy options.

Reduce Your Waste

One of the biggest producers of methane (a dangerous greenhouse gas) is actually garbage that is buried in landfills. By recycling your paper, plastic, metal and glass, and composting your organic waste like kitchen scraps, you can help to cut down on the garbage piling up in landfills

Green Transportation

Transportation is a huge contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, especially in populated areas where almost everybody drives. Try carpooling, walking and cycling to get where you need to go in order to reduce the greenhouse gases being pumped into the atmosphere.

Get Involved

Talk to your Member of Parliament and your councillors to talk about some of the ways you can fight climate change within your community. Engage them in conversation and let them know what concerns you might have, and get them to organize activities like community clean-ups, drain clearings, tree plantings and gardening projects. Remember, as youth, we are the generation that will have to inherit this world where the climate is changing quickly, so we have to be proactive about fighting it.

Watch What You Eat

Almost 20% of greenhouse gas emissions come from meat and dairy production. Try cutting down on these items and avoiding processed foods by opting for locally grown foods, especially plants. Not only are you helping the environment, but you’re also contributing to the agriculture industry. “Be Jamaican. Buy Jamaican”.

This environment day, let’s all commit to taking more active steps to combat climate change and build resilience within our homes and communities.